Afternoon,

I'm in the market to purchase a FL2 & I went to test drive a 2012 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Commandshift Automatic.

It's a 62 plate with facelift interior, leather seats etc. I took it on a 20 minute test drive down a nearby dual carriageway & at first it seemed ok however I experienced a shuddering between approx 1500-2000 revs at about 50mph. It also did it at around 30mph too. On a bumpy road it wasn't as noticeable but the dual carriageway has been newly built & the tarmac is fairly newish.

I wasn't putting pedal to the metal I was simply cruising. I reached just above 50mph then let my foot of the pedal. When I picked up again at around 47-48 mph reaching toward the 50mph mark it would shudder. Almost as if the automatic gearbox was hesitating & didn't know whether to sync up or down a gear.

When I got back I mentioned this to the salesperson of this issue & took him out on a test drive to point out the problem. He then mentioned it may be something to do with the 4WD or differential? Next week they will investigate the issue & fix what they think it is. I will know the latter part of next week.

Can anyone offer any idea as to what this may be?

I have also had them replace the camblet, auxiliary belt & waterpump before I purchase. This work has already been carried out & I've seen the invoice. When checking under the bonnet I could see the auxiliary belt but couldn't see where the water pump & cambelt were located. Are these located within the engine block itself? How can I check this has been done? (despite seeing invoice).

Thanks for any input in advance.

Cobby44 said:

Can anyone offer any idea as to what this may be?

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Shuddering as the torque converter clutch engages is a reasonably common occurrence.
I bet its not had a gearbox fluid change, which accelerates gearbox and torque converter clutch wear.

Cobby44 said:

When checking under the bonnet I could see the auxiliary belt but couldn't see where the water pump & cambelt were located. Are these located within the engine block itself?

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The timing belt and water pump are under the plastic belt cover on the LH side of the engine. If it's been done correctly, the bolt securing the crankshaft pulley will be new and look it. If it's rusty or dirty, then either the work hasn't been done at all, or the old bolt was refitted, which isn't doing the job correctly, as it's a single use bolt.

Nodge68 said:

Shuddering as the torque converter clutch engages is a reasonably common occurrence.
I bet its not had a gearbox fluid change, which accelerates gearbox and torque converter clutch wear.

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Thanks for the response Nodge.

I have requested the service history as it states in the advertisement it had a good history so I can delve a bit deeper into what's been done.
Will a gearbox fluid change resolve the issue of shuddering if it were to be done?

Cobby44 said:

I have requested the service history as it states in the advertisement it had a good history so I can delve a bit deeper into what's been done.

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If it's under 150k miles, then the gearbox, or anything else in the drive train doesn't get serviced, if the LR service schedule is being followed. Unfortunately most of the drive line components fail before the 150k service is reached.
A prudent owner would have all drive line components serviced at 50k mile intervals, but this doesn't happen often.

Cobby44 said:

Will a gearbox fluid change resolve the issue of shuddering if it were to be done?

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Not necessarily. It depends if any damage has been caused to the friction surfaces. If so, then changing the fluid won't help, although if you're lucky, it might delay any potential repairs for a while.